Although we are no longer living in a COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals have concluded that COVID viruses are here to stay. Much like other viruses, such as the flu, the COVID viruses mutate annually and tend to reappear during the colder winter months. Although most COVID viruses are less deadly than the strain that was infecting people during the pandemic, it may be worthwhile to get tested before traveling or seeing family. Learn more about how to stay healthy this holiday season. Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for rapid COVID testing without an appointment.

Is COVID Still Dangerous?

COVID is an infection that is caused by a virus. There are many other common illnesses, such as the common cold and the flu which are also caused by viruses. Viral infections can vary in severity. They can be extremely mild with minimal symptoms like nasal congestion that last a few days and resolve on their own, or they can be more severe by causing more serious symptoms such as a fever for longer. In both cases, viral infections rarely require medical intervention.

Although the original COVID-19 strain of the COVID virus was seen as a particularly dangerous virus, recent COVID strains have been more mild and less likely to cause severe illness. However, like other viruses, COVID is incredibly contagious and can be spread through both direct contact and indirect contact with an infected individual. COVID viruses can also pose a more serious health risk to those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions. Because of this, if you are visiting family or traveling for the holidays, it is important to test for COVID if you are feeling sick so that you do not spread the virus to others.

COVID Prevention Tips

Like many viruses, COVID is incredibly contagious. COVID cases tend to rise during the winter months because we spend more time indoors, which means that we are in closer contact with others who may be sick with COVID, even without knowing it. COVID can be spread through touching the same surface as someone who has the virus and it can live on surfaces for 3-4 days. In some cases, COVID symptoms can appear 14 days after infection, which means that you can spread the virus without knowing you have it. Because of this, it is important to know how to protect yourself from contracting COVID this winter.

• Disinfect surfaces regularly
• Carry hand sanitizer
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid touching your face
• Get vaccinated
• Avoid sick people

Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid viruses in our everyday lives. This is especially true in the winter months when we are spending more time indoors which exposes us to poorly ventilated air and high-traffic surfaces like doorknobs. If you are a young and healthy individual, it is unlikely that COVID will cause serious illness, however, COVID still poses a threat to at-risk populations such as the elderly and young children. This makes it important to test when traveling and visiting family around the holidays.

Visit AFC Waltham For Same-Day Rapid COVID Testing Near Waltham, MA

Although we are no longer in a pandemic, the COVID virus still poses a risk to our health during the annual winter virus season. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to test before and after holiday travel to ensure that you are not spreading the virus to others. At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, we make getting COVID tested quick and easy with same-day COVID testing available daily on a walk-in basis. Simply walk into our clinic, or make an appointment online.

AFC Urgent Care Waltham offers same-day molecular testing daily at our walk-in clinic so that you can ensure you’re staying healthy this holiday season. Not only do we offer rapid molecular testing, but we also offer COVID anti-body testing. Our walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week with extended business hours. Walk in today for fast and accurate COVID testing when it is convenient for you. For additional information regarding our clinic, please contact us directly.